Present Perfect
The present perfect (Perfekt) is the most common past tense in spoken German. It's used to talk about completed actions in the past.
It's formed with 'haben' or 'sein' + past participle. Most verbs use 'haben', but some use 'sein'.
This lesson covers how to form and use the present perfect tense in German.
Explanation
Form: haben/sein (conjugated) + past participle. Most verbs use 'haben': 'Ich habe gelernt' (I have learned).
Verbs of movement and state change use 'sein': 'Ich bin gegangen' (I have gone), 'Er ist geworden' (He has become).
Past participles of regular verbs: add 'ge-' prefix and '-t' suffix: 'lernen' → 'gelernt' (learned).
Past participles of irregular verbs: add 'ge-' prefix and '-en' suffix, often with vowel change: 'gehen' → 'gegangen' (gone).
In spoken German, Perfekt is preferred over Präteritum for most verbs (except sein, haben, werden, and modal verbs).
Present Perfect Conjugation
| Subject | haben/sein | Past Participle | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | habe | gelernt | Ich habe gelernt | I have learned |
| du | hast | gelernt | Du hast gelernt | You have learned |
| er/sie/es | hat | gelernt | Er hat gelernt | He has learned |
| wir | haben | gelernt | Wir haben gelernt | We have learned |
| ihr | habt | gelernt | Ihr habt gelernt | You have learned |
| sie | haben | gelernt | Sie haben gelernt | They have learned |
Examples
Ich habe Deutsch gelernt.
I have learned German.
Er ist nach Berlin gefahren.
He has traveled to Berlin.
Wir haben das Buch gelesen.
We have read the book.
Sie ist gekommen.
She has come.
Ihr habt es verstanden.
You have understood it.
Common Mistakes
Ich habe gelernt (when verb uses sein)
Ich bin gegangen
Verbs of movement use 'sein', not 'haben'. 'Ich bin gegangen', not 'Ich habe gegangen'.
Ich habe lernen
Ich habe gelernt
Use the past participle, not the infinitive. 'gelernt', not 'lernen'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
Start Exercises →Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.